Question of the month: What did you name your business and why?
Did you use your own name? An image that has always intrigued you? Your initials? Was it hard to decide, or are you still trying to decide?
Why did you decide on the name you settled on? Do you have any regrets? I have to be honest with you about this: if I had it all to do over, I might just have used my own name rather than “doing business as” names!
You might have noticed that I placed a poll in the right-hand sidebar about this topic too, with only three choices. I wanted to get a simplified view of our choices as well as invite you to leave comments here and to send me even more info via email if you’d like to see your story posted here!
Send me your story and I’ll post about it. You’re welcome to simply leave you answer in the comments section below, but if you’d like to share an image of your work and a website link, send it to me along with your story to cyndi@b5media.com and I’ll be happy to give you a post of your own. And please, please, please…go vote in the poll!
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POSTED IN: Artist Communities, Question of the Month
20 opinions for Question of the month: What did you name your business and why?
Peggy
Mar 7, 2008 at 9:17 am
Iridescent Dragonfly Creations is my business name. I just started it in August of last year, but have had the name in my head for years. Iridescent speaks of subtle flashes of color while dragonflies conjure images of darting yet beautiful creatures. My jewelry is a bit like that as well as my personality. I cannot think of a better name suited to me and my designs. My website will be up soon. Thanks for the question!
Jennifer
Mar 7, 2008 at 9:40 am
I named my line, Millie Jewelry. Millie is my grandmothers name, and she was so dear to me I had to honor her in my life. She LOVED jewelry even more than me, so it fits her well. I once had a cleaning business called Milly’s Domestic Services as well, but this time around the business not only fits my grandma better, evokes her spirit a bit, but its the spelled the way she chose to spell her name :) If you’re interested, theres a picture up front and to the right on my blog. Gorgeous, fun, and a little kooky thats my grandma and my work.
Cyndi
Mar 7, 2008 at 9:46 am
Peggy, when your website is up, please email me a link!
Jennifer, that’s a great story :-) And what a fabulous picture of Millie!
Stephie
Mar 7, 2008 at 9:51 am
Hiya Cyndi
Thats a multifaceted question for me :o)
My business name is Princess Stores. Princess because I spent years being known as elfin-princess at various places on the internet, Stores because I wanted it to be something generic that could cover anything. A good thing really - 6 years after starting up, I’ve sold giftware, pre-manufactured jewellery, ballgowns, kids and ladies clothing and currently beads, findings and hand-crafted jewellery. I never had even the slightest inkling when I started the business that I’d be doing what I’m doing now :-) But for tax & finance reasons, the over-name stays.
However… the beads & findings section of my business is entirely ebay based under ID princess-jewellery - which pretty much covers what you can make with my sparkly stuff :o).
The handmade jewellery section (and give me a few months, hand crafted beads) is Stardust & Sparkles by Stephie Hall which covers my style nicely. And of course, my name. I think including your name when you’re selling yourself as an artist is important.
Do I regret it…. no. Whether or not all three names are entirely appropriate, it’s not so much what you call it as how you market it that matters.
Cyndi L
Mar 7, 2008 at 10:35 am
You’re right about the marketing aspect, Stephie! And maybe it’s really fruitless to even ask if anyone regrets their choice, but I can’t help thinking that if I had it to do over… :-)
Marcia
Mar 7, 2008 at 2:24 pm
We are in the process of getting started with our business. However, we named it M & D Handmade Trinkets and Jewels after my first name as well as my daughter. We hope to get you some pictures soon.
Cyndi
Mar 7, 2008 at 2:45 pm
I like the family connections that seem to be a common source of biz names :-)
Carrie
Mar 7, 2008 at 5:10 pm
I’m in a block right now for a name for my future business. I need to come up with something soon, I need to start producing business materials, but my creativity isn’t flowing on this one. An acquaintance has asked me to produce her bridesmaid’s jewelry for her wedding in May, and I’d like to have business cards by then! I have an entire marketing plan, yet no name!
beadinggem
Mar 7, 2008 at 10:43 pm
I call myself and my business, The Beading Gem simply because my name is Pearl! My mother named me after the jewel of the month of I was born - June. That wasn’t the only thing she gave me - she passed on her love of jewelry, beading and lots of creativity. Now I enjoy teaching beading AND writing my blog, The Beading Gem’s Journal.
Marian
Mar 8, 2008 at 2:28 am
My mom actually helped me to name my jewelry business when I was in college and it’s called “Made Marian.” Basically, it’s a word play based on the character Maid Marian from the tales of Robin Hood and the infamous Sherwood Forest (one of my favorites by the way). Maid Marian has been a nickname all my life and I’m so happy that I can also use it to sell jewelry :-)
cecil
Mar 8, 2008 at 4:43 am
my business is retailing balloons. i named it thumbprints….because our thumb prints are all over the balloons after it has been inflated, not only my thumbprints but my 4 year old & 11 year old sons who helped me inflate, twist, tie and deliver these balloons to our customers in the neighborhood.
Sue
Mar 8, 2008 at 6:49 am
I named my business Boutique in a Box. When I first started out I made mostly jewelry and hair do dads and I could carry them all in a big box to sell. Even when I grew to be in a Flea market setting, I kept Boutique in a Box because it was different and all mine.
sharon mehalof
Mar 8, 2008 at 3:42 pm
I just wanted to answer why I named OUR business Mariah Studios.Eight years ago my husband started to make Windchimes and Mobiles and asked me why don’t you start making jewelry and so I did and every year we have sold our Art at fairs and we are in a few Gallerys also and Do very good selling.thats about it thanks for listening.
Cyndi
Mar 8, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Pearl and Marian, I love how you played with your own names to come up with your biz name! Cecil, that’s the kind of story that gets people talking about your biz once they know the story…very smart! Sue, very practical and widely useful name that can grow as your biz does! Carrie, I hope some of the ideas here will help you in your search :-)
Cyndi
Mar 8, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Sharon, is that because of the song, “They call the wind Mariah?”
sharon mehalof
Mar 8, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Cyndi Yes thats why we came up with that name and while I got ya here I’m trying to Upgrade my jewelry into better and different.
Amanda
Mar 8, 2008 at 11:35 pm
I named my business Autumn Blossoms because it evokes the images of my two favorite times of year - autumn and spring. I love the colors and vibrancy of nature during those seasons. On a personal note, A.B. are also my initials! LOL
Cyndi
Mar 9, 2008 at 4:12 pm
That’s what I call great serendipity, Amanda!
Leslie Todd
Mar 9, 2008 at 6:53 pm
I’m struggling with this question now. My business name is Hartsong Handworks, which is really left over from a different type of business. I’m really tired of it and am thinking of either Leslie Todd Jewelry, or No Stone Unstrung, which is the name of my blog. I can’t make up my mind.
Cyndi
Mar 9, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Those have completely different feels to them, Leslie! I guess you’re going to have to decide what tone you want to set with your work. No Stone Unstrung is very witty, and I love it, but what happens if you move away from stones? Will it matter? Maybe you can use it as your tagline instead?
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